A non-profit group is focusing its attention on the issue of homelessness in Chatham-Kent.
A temporary shelter at the Bradley centre is now closed and those who made use of the facility have been moved to motels.
Al Baker is a coordinator for Neighbourlink and is pushing for a group called Indwell to set up shop in CK and build some permanent affordable housing.
Indwell was founded by a couple who opened up their spare room to a homeless person in 1975, and has grown into a movement with housing projects already established in London, Hamilton, Woodstock, and Simcoe.
Baker says the group specializes in dealing with people struggling with mental illness and addiction, and providing the necessary supports packaged with affordable housing.
The hope is to have an affordable living unit in each area of the municipality, including Wallaceburg, Blenheim, Ridgetown, Dresden, and Tilbury.
“It’s a big dream, but it’s certainly one that is possible with the community’s support,” Baker says. “Once these are in place you’ll see a huge dent in the unsheltered homeless population.”
The next step will be to get Indwell to come to Chatham-Kent and discuss the issue with council, and secure funding.
Baker says they’ve made some good strides so far, with a number of churches on board and the support of municipal administration.